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Related Concept Videos

Biofuels01:25

Biofuels

The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...
Green Algae01:21

Green Algae

Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons01:26

Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons

Bioremediation is an environmentally sustainable process that employs living organisms—primarily microorganisms—to degrade or neutralize pollutants from contaminated environments. In oil spills and hydrocarbon pollution, bioremediation involves the use of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to transform toxic compounds into less harmful substances. This approach leverages natural microbial metabolic processes and is considered both cost-effective and ecologically favorable compared to physical or...
Overview of Algae01:28

Overview of Algae

The kingdom Archaeplastida encompasses red and green algae, along with land plants. Unlike other protists with chloroplasts that arose through secondary endosymbiosis, only red and green algae originated from primary endosymbiotic events. This diverse group of eukaryotic organisms contains chlorophyll and performs oxygenic photosynthesis.Algae exist in various forms, from large brown kelp in coastal waters to green scum in puddles and stains on rocks or soil. Some species are responsible for...
Microbial Fuel Cells01:23

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical devices that generate electricity by exploiting the metabolic processes of electrogenic bacteria. These systems provide a renewable energy source and serve as an innovative method for treating organic waste, such as wastewater.A typical MFC consists of two chambers: an anoxic (oxygen-free) compartment that houses the bacteria and an oxic (oxygen-rich) compartment that contains oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Many MFCs use proton...
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids
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Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids

Published on: January 7, 2019

Microalgae and biofuels: a promising partnership?

F Xavier Malcata1

  • 1ISMAI-Instituto Superior da Maia, Avenida Carlos Oliveira Campos, 4475-690 Avioso S. Pedro, Portugal. fmalcata@ismai.pt

Trends in Biotechnology
|July 5, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microalgae offer high lipid yields for biofuels without using farmland. However, scaling up microalgal biofuel production faces significant technological and economic challenges, requiring novel solutions.

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Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Renewable Energy
  • Algal Research

Background:

  • Microalgae possess superior lipid yields compared to traditional oleaginous crops.
  • Microalgal cultivation for biofuels does not compete with agricultural land use.
  • Current microalgal biofuel production is hindered by biocatalyst and bioreactor limitations, impeding scale-up.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent global research and development in microalgal biofuels.
  • To identify and discuss critical shortcomings in current microalgal biofuel technologies.
  • To explore both conventional and unconventional solutions for enhancing microalgal biofuel production.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent worldwide research and development efforts.
  • Analysis of key challenges in microalgal biofuel scale-up.
  • Discussion of specific issues: metabolic pathways, lipid synthesis, CO2 delivery, and lipid secretion/accumulation.

Main Results:

  • Microalgal biofuels present a promising renewable energy source.
  • Significant technological and economic hurdles must be overcome for industrial viability.
  • Addressing issues like metabolism, lipid synthesis, and CO2 management is crucial.

Conclusions:

  • A competitive microalgal biofuel technology is unlikely before 2030.
  • A tenfold increase in productivity necessitates novel bioreactor designs and genetically modified microalgal strains.
  • Multidisciplinary approaches are essential for advancing microalgal biofuel technology.